Portugal set for title defence, as France face Germany in a heavyweight clash
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are set to have the honor of a full house in the Hungarian capital, the Puskas Arena remains the only one of the 11 venues at this European Championship where there are no Covid-19 limits on the number of fans allowed.
As the long awaiting Euro 2020 kick-start, the reigning champions Portugal begin their defence of the trophy against Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, World Cup holders France would take on Germany in a hotly-anticipated clash between two of the continent’s heavyweights.
“It’s perfect. I wish every single venue could host a full house. It’s great for viewers and players, but sadly it’s not up to us to decide,” said Ronaldo of the prospect of a crowd of up to 68 000 watching the first of Tuesday’s two matches at the tournament in Group F.
Ronaldo is 36 now and aiming to score in a fifth different European Championship finals.
The Old lady’s star player, Ronaldo needs just one more goal to become the outright top scorer in the tournament and is just five goals away from equalling the all-time international scoring record of 109 held by Iran’s Ali Daei.
But, from Ruben Dias to Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix, there is also an outstanding team behind him and Portugal are hopeful of retaining the title they won at Euro 2016 in France.
France lost 1-0 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals in Rio de Janeiro but are unbeaten in the five meetings between the sides since, including a 2-0 win in the Euro 2016 semifinals.
“This fixture brings back happy memories and not-so-happy memories,” said France goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris. “It is one of the all-time great major tournament fixtures.”
Germany are under pressure to perform in front of home support at Munich’s Allianz Arena as they come into their final tournament under coach Joachim Loew, who will stand down as coach after the finals following 15 years in charge.
“The spirit is very good and the team is hungry for success. That makes me confident and allows me to sleep peacefully,” Loew said.
Previous Results
On Monday night Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by Sweden in a Group E game at home in Sevilla.
European champions in 2008 and 2012, Spain were without captain Sergio Busquets, still isolating after testing positive for coronavirus, and paid for wasteful finishing by much-criticized Alvaro Morata.
“We know what he can do, it didn’t go in for him today it’s true, but in the next game he can score three and shut everyone’s mouth,” said Spain defender Aymeric Laporte.
In stark contrast, Patrik Schick scored one of the championship’s greatest goals, a high, curling shot from just inside the halfway line in the Czech Republic’s 2-0 win over Scotland.
Schick had earlier headed in the opener as the Czechs ruined Scotland’s long-awaited first game at a major tournament in 23 years and went top of Group D.
“The ball bounced back, the goalkeeper was quite high, I took a look, I saw he was out there so I slammed it in,” said Bayer Leverkusen striker Schick of his stunner.
Also on day four, Slovakia edged out 10-man Poland 2-1 in Saint Petersburg in Group E.
An own goal from Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny handed Slovakia the lead, but Karol Linetty equalized for Poland.
The Poles were reduced to 10 men on the hour when midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak picked up a second yellow card, and Slovakia made their advantage count as defender Milan Skriniar drove in a well-taken winner.
Tobi Sangotola/Sportinglifeng
